Breathe Easy @ BCC Starts September 4, 2012

Beginning fall 2012, the use of all tobacco products will be strictly prohibited both indoors and outdoors on all Bronx Community College/CUNY property. Part of the Healthy CUNY and the NYC DOHMH Tobacco-Free Campus Initiative, Tobacco-Free CUNY calls for a completely tobacco-free and smoke-free environment on all campuses and university property.

The new policy prohibits the use of any tobacco product, including chewing tobacco, snuff, and other “smokeless” products.

The policy prohibits smoking and the use of tobacco products and smoking-related accessories–including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, smokeless tobacco, and all tobacco products–as well as the use of electronic cigarettes, herbal cigarettes, or any other kind of smoking product, by students, faculty, staff, contractors, vendors, visitors, and any other person on all grounds and facilities under CUNY jurisdiction. This includes building entrances and exits to buildings, playing fields and parking lots, and all vehicles on college properties, and within all college vehicles at any location.

All attendees at public events, such as conferences, meetings, public lectures, social events, cultural events, and sporting events using college facilities shall be required to abide by this policy; organizers shall communicate this policy to attendees and shall enforce the policy. Written notification of the policy shall be included, as appropriate, in all contracts that vendors and renters are required to sign.

A SMOKE-FREE CAMPUS BENEFITS US ALL!

The Bronx Community College tobacco-free campus policy provides for a healthy working environment that supports teaching and learning. The purpose of this policy is to eliminate the dangers from exposure to secondhand smoke, provide an environment that encourages persons to be tobacco free, establish a campus culture of wellness through education and awareness, reduce health insuranceand health-care costs, and promote a tobacco-free future.

WHOSE JOB IS IT TO KEEP BCC SMOKE FREE?

Successful implementation of this policy requires a college-wide cooperative effort.

It is the responsibility of all members of the campus community, including visitors, to observe this policy.

It is the responsibility of Human Resources and Health Services to provide information regarding tobacco prevention and cessation.

Smoking is an addictive habit. Those of us who want to quit, but can't, may need support and help. Assistance with smoking cessation will be made available to all members of the college community.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN SOMEONE IS IN VIOLATION OF THE POLICY?

BCC smokers will continue to be respected as members of the college community. Those of us who do smoke have the right to do so as long as it is off campus, where it does not impact the college teaching, learning, and working environment.

BCC smokers are also viewed as people with a dependency on tobacco and who may need support, empathy, encouragement, and a “friendly” reminder to not smoke on campus or school property. Compliance with the new policy will be enforced as follows:

First-time non-compliant smokers (NCS) will be documented and encouraged to voluntarily participate in a BCC Individual or Group Smoking Cessation Program (BIGSC) (See Resources: Tobacco Use Cessation Programs).

Second-time non-compliant smokers will be documented and required to participate in an individual or group smoking cessation program with validation of completion.

Third-time non-compliant smokers will be documented and required to participate in ongoing free smoking cessation programs on or off the campus with validation of completion (See Resources: Tobacco Use Cessation Programs).

Fourth-time non-compliant smokers may be required to go before the Code of Conduct Committee.

GETTING THE WORD OUT

Information regarding the college's new tobacco-free policy will be communicated to all members of the campus community.

It will be included in formal orientation for all incoming students and employees.

Signage will be posted to inform members of the campus community and all visitors, including contractors and vendors, of the policy.

REMEMBER

Compliance with this policy is the shared responsibility of all Bronx Community College staff, students, and faculty members. The success of this policy will depend upon the courtesy, respect, and cooperation of users and non-users of tobacco products.

Complaints concerning employees of the college who violate the new policy should be brought to the attention of the employee's immediate supervisor or Human Resources.

Complaints concerning students should be brought to the attention of a campus peace officer, who may then refer the matter to the Vice President of Student Affairs. Any official actions taken will be in accordance with the Student Code of Conduct.

Visitors who fail to comply with the policy may be prohibited from remaining on or returning to campus. In all cases, campus peace officers will assist in helping students and employees who identify a violation.